Command of Evidence

Claim → Direction → Match · 10 Rules

SAT R&W Information & Ideas
88 problems · ≈ 2 per module

CORD — C Concept O Operation · Method R Recognition D Drill

What this chapter tests: a passage states a specific claim, and you pick the data point, quote, or finding that most directly supports (or weakens) it. The trap is choices that are TRUE about the topic but don't actually test the claim's exact link.

Know These 4 Terms

Claim

The specific assertion in the passage being tested. Underline it — you're proving or disproving exactly this. "…suggests that mineral X strengthens bone density in adolescents."

Direction word

The word that tells you which way the claim points. Miss this, miss the question. more · less · higher · lower · fewer · increased · decreased

Compound claim

Two claims joined by AND/WHILE/WHEREAS. About 25% of problems — the correct choice must support BOTH halves, not just one.

The LINK

The specific cause-effect or correlation the claim makes (X causes Y, X correlates with Y). The right choice tests this exact link — not just the topic.

Foundation Rules · 1–3 · Claim → Direction → Match

Rule 1 Find the exact CLAIM

Underline the specific assertion the passage is making. Not the topic — the exact claim. "The study shows…" / "researchers concluded…" / "this suggests…" all flag the claim sentence.

RecognitionPicks broad topic evidence instead of evidence for the exact assertion.

Rule 2 Identify DIRECTION + LINK

Pin down two things: the direction word (more/less, increase/decrease) AND the link the claim makes (X → Y). Both must match in the correct choice.

RecognitionGets the relationship right but reverses increase/decrease or support/weaken.

Rule 3 MATCH the link, not the topic

Pick the choice that directly tests that exact link. Topic match ≠ link match. A choice can be 100% on-topic and still not support the specific cause-effect being claimed.

RecognitionPicks a choice that's on-topic but doesn't test the exact link claimed.

Quick Card · Page 1

Find the claim · Lock the direction · Match the link, not just the topic

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Command of Evidence · Rules 4–10

Specialized Rules · compound claims, formats, 5 traps

SAT R&W Information & Ideas
Rules Catalog

💡 How to use this with explanations. When you review a wrong answer, the explanation will say violates Rule N. Look up that rule below to see the pattern and the example. Foundation Rules 1–3 are on Page 1.

Tangential traps win 44% of wrong picks (Rule 8). They sound right because they're true about the topic — but they never test the specific link. If you can imagine the choice being true while the claim is false, it doesn't support the claim. Compound claims (Rule 4) account for another ~25% of problems — always check BOTH halves.

Rule 4 Compound claim — both halves (~25% of problems) Drill 5

If the claim is joined by AND / WHILE / WHEREAS, split it in two. The correct choice must support both halves. A choice that nails one half but ignores the other is a trap.

Claim: "X is tall AND fast" → choice must show BOTH height AND speed, not just one

RecognitionPicks a choice that nails one half of an AND/WHILE claim, ignores the other.

Rule 5 SUPPORT vs WEAKEN flips it Drill 2

Read the verb carefully. "Supports" = find evidence FOR the claim. "Weakens / undermines / casts doubt" = find evidence AGAINST. Misreading the verb flips your entire prediction.

Stem says "weakens" → you want a choice that goes against the claim's direction

RecognitionMisreads 'weakens' as 'supports' and picks evidence in the wrong direction.

Rule 6 Quantitative — read caption + axis + UNITS Drill 44

For graphs/tables: read the caption, axis labels, and units FIRST. Lock in what each column / bar actually means. Only then go hunting for the data point. Misreading units = wrong choice every time.

Axis "thousands of tons" vs "tons" — same number, different claim

RecognitionGrabs the right number but misreads units or axis label on the figure.

Rule 7 Textual quote — both traits Drill 8

For "which quotation best illustrates…" questions: if the trait is compound (e.g., resilient AND lonely), the quote must show both. A quote that only shows one trait is a trap, even if it's vivid.

Trait: "strong-willed yet doubting" → quote must show both, not just strength

RecognitionSupports only one part of a two-part textual claim.

Rule 8 Tangential trap ★ most common · 44% Drill 24

Choice is true about the topic but doesn't test the actual link. Sounds relevant; doesn't prove the claim. Test: could this choice be true while the claim is still false? If yes — it's tangential.

Claim: "X causes Y" → trap: "X is common in region Z" (true, but no Y mentioned)

RecognitionPicks evidence that's true about the topic but never tests the claim's link.

Rule 9 Wrong Direction (~15%) Drill 2

Right topic, right data, wrong way. Claim says "more"; choice shows "less". Or claim says "increased"; data shows "decreased". Always re-check direction before locking your answer.

Claim: "density increased" → trap: "density dropped 12%" (right metric, opposite direction)

RecognitionRight metric and topic, but the data moves the opposite way from claim.

Rule 10 Mixed misc traps (half-claim · swapped subject · no effect · magnitude · opinion) Drill 3

Remaining patterns: Half-Claim (one side of compound only) · Swapped Subject (data about wrong group) · No Effect (null result presented as support) · Wrong Magnitude (right direction, way off scale) · Opinion vs Data (someone's view, not measured evidence).

Claim about teens → trap: data on adults (swapped subject)

RecognitionPicks data about the wrong group, a null result, or someone's opinion.

Rules Catalog · Page 2

Claim → Direction → Match the link · Both halves on compound · Tangential is the #1 trap

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